Abarcar

Abarcar is a verb used in Spanish and Portuguese with several closely related senses centered on surrounding, containing, or including something within a space or scope. It can denote a physical action, a spatial extent, or a figurative scope that covers topics, elements, or time.

In its most concrete use, abarcar can mean to surround or embrace someone with the arms, as in a physical hug. It also describes covering physical space, such as a landscape, territory, or distance: “abarcar un territorio,” “abarcar una distancia.” In a figurative sense, it means to include or encompass a range of elements, topics, or aspects: “abarcar varios temas,” “abarcar un periodo de tiempo.” The expression “abarcar con la vista” refers to taking in something with one’s gaze.

Abarcar is typically transitive and is used with direct objects that represent what is being surrounded or covered: a person (abarcar a alguien), a place (abarcar un área), a tema (abarcar un tema), or a time span (abarcar un periodo). In usage, it often conveys breadth or completeness, emphasizing that the subject spans or includes more than a narrow scope. Related verbs in the same languages include abranger in Portuguese or comprender and incluir in Spanish, which can convey similar ideas in contexts where a more precise nuance is intended.

Overall, abarcar denotes both physical enclosure and broad inclusion, making it a versatile term for describing coverage, extent, or comprehensiveness.